Skateboard wheel modification apparatus

ABSTRACT

The present invention concerns a method and apparatus for the securing a secondary outer wheel surface to a primary skateboard wheel so as to change the performance characteristics of said skateboard. The apparatus is further directed to allowing a user to remove or secure said second wheel without the use of customized tools or devices. The present invention is also directed to securing a secondary wheel surface in a manner that prevents the primary wheel from impeding the motions of the skateboard. Through the use of the present invention, a user can customize the performance characteristics of the skateboard without the necessity of replacing wheels

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority to co-pendingprovisional patent application 61/511,622, which was filed Jul. 26, 2011under 35 U.S.C. 119(e), herein incorporated by reference in itsentirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to apparatus and method for changing theperformance characteristics of skateboard and other personal transportdevices.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

Skateboards, their wheels and associated accessories, are all know inthe art. Skateboard wheels generally are of solid construction and donot incorporate inflatable tires, rims, or other accents that have ananalogue in general wheel construction. It has been known in the art tofabricate skateboard wheels from different types of material. Forexample, semi-hard rubber materials provide a comfortable,shock-absorbing wheel structure and a relatively high coefficient offriction in contact with the ground. This friction with the groundenables the skateboard to provide a user with a high degree of tractionon most surfaces. A high friction co-efficient allows for the user toperform a variety of acrobatic and technical performances and maneuvers,such as jumps over obstacles and slides on angled surfaces (colloquiallyknown as olies, kick-flips, grinds and the like) to be undertaken.However, it should be noted that rubber wheels have drawbacks. While thehigh friction co-efficient is suitable for acrobatic maneuvers, itdecreases absolute wheel rotation speed. As such, a skateboard equippedwith purely rubber wheels is a poor transport vehicle, Those seeking touse a skateboard in a transport capacity are in need of different wheelcharacteristics.

Alternatively, it is known in the art to fabricate the skateboard wheelsfrom solid plastics such as urethane. Wheels constructed of urethanehave a relatively low co-efficient of friction with a variety of groundsurfaces. As such they are very popular for street and road travelingskateboards, i.e longboards. However, this relatively low coefficient offriction results in low side and lateral traction. As a result, lateralslippage, drifting, and sliding are all common occurrences. As such,proper control and maneuvering of a skateboard becomes difficult on roadsurfaces at high speed.

It is known in the prior art to attempt to combine these two differentwheel types into a single wheel. However, numerous drawbacks haveresulted. Due to the differing compositions of urethane and rubber,bonding and adhesive agents are necessary to join the two materialstogether. The result is that the bonding fails and the wheels begin toseparate into their constituent parts.

Another problem inherent in the joining of materials is that the groundcontacting portion of the wheel extends the entire distance of theoverall width of the wheel, there being defined essentially as a rightangle at the inner and outer peripheral edges of the ground contactingportion with opposite faces of the wheel. As such, transition of askateboard user from one position to another, whilst upon the board,induces very small acute angle deflection of the wheel surface from theground. Therefore, when shifting weight, especially when cornering, thewheel surface is no longer parallel to the direction of motion of theskateboard. When this occurs, damage in the form of wheel chipping anduneven wearing of the urethane and/or rubber materials, is the result.Such shifting, in case of rubber results in rapid deformation anddeterioration of the road contacting surface.

Therefore, what is needed in a system for skateboards and other wheeledrecreational products which corrects these deficiencies and provides fora durable, long lasting and stable sporting device that has improvedperformance characteristics across a spectrum of road surfaces.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to wheel apparatus for a skateboardthat allows the selection of wheels with the proper characteristicsrelative to the proposed activity. More specifically, the presentinvention is directed to an interchangeable wheel apparatus that allowsthe operator of a skate board, without tools, to swap wheel types,depending on the circumstances.

In an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the system has abase board wherein two center point wheel axels, or trucks, are affixedto the bottom, in standard skateboard configuration. Those skilled inthe art would appreciate that any standard or custom skateboard truckcan be used with the present invention herein described. Furthermore,any standard or custom skateboard platform, or deck, is suitable for theuse with the system of the present invention. Affixed to each end ofeach axel of the skateboard are a set of coefficient of frictionmodifiable wheels. A first wheel is affixed to the axel of the truck,said wheel is constructed out of material having a low coefficient offriction. Additionally, this first wheel is constructed of a materialwith a sufficiently high durometer value, such that it is suitable forperforming acrobatic maneuvers. The present invention also includes asecondary wheel. The secondary wheel is formed as a torus, withoutmaterial intersecting the center of the wheel. This secondary wheel canbe placed over the first wheel, and secured in a manner that preventsthe first wheel from turning independently of the second wheel. Thesecondary wheel is formed out of a material having a higher coefficientof friction than the first wheel. The present invention is also directedto a method of affixing and removing the secondary wheels without thenecessity of tools. In an illustrative embodiment of the presentinvention, the secondary wheel is formed of a flexible material that caneasily be stretched to surround and cover the first wheel. Theelasticity and resiliency of the flexible material allows for thesecondary wheel to transfer its rotational motion to the primary wheel.In this manner, a composite wheel is provided that allows for selectingdifferent wheel characteristics depending on the road conditions.

It is further envisioned that the both wheels herein described arecapable of being changed without the use of tools. As an illustrativeexample, the present invention provides for a flexible secondary wheelthat has an inner surface that has a very high coefficient of friction,and an outer surface having a lower coefficient of friction. As aresult, the secondary wheel will, when engaged on a road surface, willtransfer the rotational motion to the primary wheel. Additionally, thepresent invention provides for a secondary wheel that can attach to theprimary wheel by a variety of mechanisms, such as tongue and groovelatches and screw-thread designs.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a wheel surfacethat is adapted to a particular activity such as street racing, oracrobatic tricks. The present invention provide for an outer peripheraledge of the wheel that allows greater lateral movement control whencombined with low coefficient of friction devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other features of the present invention will be morereadily apparent from the following detailed description and drawings ofillustrative embodiments of the invention in which list the drawings andtheir captions. For example:

FIG. 1 is an illustrative side view of an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an illustrative front view of the embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is an illustrative cut-away view of elements of the invention asdisclosed in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an illustrative top view of one of the embodiments the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is an illustrative exploded view of one of the embodiments of thepresent invention;

FIG. 6, is an illustrative side view of one of the embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 7A, is an illustrative side view of one of the embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 7B, is an illustrative front view of one of the embodiments of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

By way of overview and introduction, the present invention concerns amethod and apparatus for the securing a secondary outer wheel surface toa primary skateboard wheel so as to change the performancecharacteristics of said skateboard. The apparatus is further directed toallowing a user to remove or secure said second wheel without the use ofcustomized tools or devices. Lastly, the present invention allows forthe securing of a secondary wheel surface in a manner that prevents theprimary wheel from impeding the motions of the skateboard.

As seen in FIG. 1, the present invention provides for a composite skateboard wheel 100. The composite skateboard wheel is configured to have asecuring axel 103, provided to secure the composite wheel to theremainder of the skateboard apparatus (not shown). The securing axel 103is attached to the primary wheel 105. This is accomplished by threadingthe axel through a center portion of the primary wheel and affixing acap or screw. In this way, the primary wheel 105 is secured to the axeland is prevented from slipping or moving when engaged with a roadsurface. Furthermore, the axel is provided so that the primary wheel mayrotate freely around it with or without the aid of lubricants orbearings.

The primary wheel 105 is constructed out of standard materials that aresuitable for the functions of a skateboard. The primary skateboard wheelin a particular embodiment of the present invention is formed ofurethane or another material having a low-coefficient of friction. Theprimary wheel is also configured to be constructed of a material havinga high level of hardness, specifically, a high duramoeter value. Thewheel is further configured and designed so that it functions as a parkenvironment skateboard. That is, the low coefficient of friction allowsfor the primary wheels, and associated skateboard platform to achievethe necessary lateral movement and directional slippage necessary toperform tricks and acrobatic maneuvers.

As shown in FIG. 2, the present invention also includes the secondarywheel surface 107. The secondary wheel surface 107 is adapted to fitover the primary wheel 105. As shown in FIG. 1, the secondary wheelsurface is configured to completely enclose any road contacting surfacespresented by the primary wheel. In addition, the secondary wheel surfaceis adapted so as not to overlap the sides 203 of the primary wheel. Inthis manner, the primary wheel and its attachment to the axel 103 is notinterfered with. In an embodiment of the present invention, thesecondary wheel surface provides a different road surface material;thereby allowing the skateboard to alter its performancecharacteristics. Specifically, the secondary wheel is configured to havelower durometer value than the primary wheel. This allows the secondarywheel to function as a general purpose road transport device. In analternative embodiment, the primary wheel is further configured so as tominimize lateral slippage while in motion. In said embodiment, it ispossible to provide for a wheel composition that has been selected toprovide sufficient co-efficient of friction so as to allow for lateralstability while traveling. Additionally, a further alternativeembodiment provides the secondary wheel construed of a compositematerial that is a blending of high and low-coefficient of frictionwheels. Wherein the outer portion of the wheel possesses a surfacematerial having a high coefficient of friction. In this way, corneringthe skateboard becomes less risky due to a reduction in lateralslippage. Conversely, when a user is traveling on a straight path andcentered over the skateboard, the low-coefficient road surface isprimarily engaged, thereby allowing for maximal speed attainment.Additionally, the secondary wheel 107 is configured to not interferewith the skateboard riding platform/deck 207 or the axel managementsystem/truck 205.

As shown in FIG. 3, the inner wheel 105 and the outer wheel 107 are indirect contact when in use. In a particular embodiment of the presentinvention, it is provided that the exterior texture of the primary wheelouter surface 303 is such that it provides natural resistance to theinner secondary wheel surface 305, such that the inner wheel 105 isprevented from spinning independently of the secondary wheel 107, whenthe wheel is engaged on a road surface.

As shown in FIG. 4, the secondary wheel surface, can be configured as aflat piece of material 407, having the desired material characteristicsof a wheel with high-coefficient of friction. The flat secondary wheelmaterial 407 can be affixed to the primary wheel 105 by wrapping thematerial around the primary wheel. In the disclosed embodiment, thesecondary wheel material possesses a slot and tab configuration. Thisconfiguration allows the tab 408 to be inserted into slot 409. Throughthis securing action, the material is affixed to the primary wheelsurface through tension. Therefore, the secondary wheel is preventedfrom moving or slipping off of the primary wheel. Those skilled in theart are aware of the various styles and types of securing devices thatcould replace the tab and slot elements depicted in FIG. 4. The presentinvention is in no way limited to those elements, or dimensions of thesecondary wheel as depicted. For example, another embodiment of thepresent invention provides an alternating series of tabs and slots, soas to provide a greater surface area between the two ends of thesecondary wheel material. The present invention also provides for thesecondary wheel material to have a given thickness depending on thespecific characteristic sought to be conveyed to the skateboard. Forexample, the present invention is configured to form the secondary wheelout of a rubber or other high friction co-efficient material. In thisinstance, it is preferable to provide a thicker material, so as to allowfor sufficient cushioning and give during operation. However, it isenvisioned that the secondary material might in fact be provided with aco-efficient of friction that is less than that of the primary wheel. Inthis configuration, it is preferable to have a thin secondary wheelmaterial.

In an alternative embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the secondary wheelsurface can be pre-formed in the shape of a cup or cylinder. In thisembodiment, the pre-formed secondary wheel surface 107 fits over and issecured onto the primary wheel 105. In the preferred embodiment thesecondary wheel 107 is secured by mounting a tab or pin (not shown) intothe axel portion of the primary wheel. This attachment, when combinedwith suitable high friction material located within the inner surface502 of the secondary wheel 107 provides sufficient friction andstability to prevent the primary wheel 105 and secondary wheel 107 frommoving in an asynchronous manner. In an alternative embodiment, thesecondary wheel is formed of two or more separate pre-formed pieces thatfit, snap or screw together so as to provide the proper coupling withthe primary wheel.

In still a further embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG.6, the secondary wheel surface is formed as a cylinder 603 closed at oneend. The inner surface of the closed end is provided with a series ofprotrusions and/or voids 605, forming a saw tooth or square pattern, ofteeth or gears. In this embodiment, the primary wheel 105 also possessesprotrusions and/or voids 607 along a non-road surface contacting portionof the wheel. The protrusions of both the primary and secondary wheelsare configured to interlock with one another. In this manner, theprimary wheel and secondary wheel are prevented of rotatingindependently of one another.

In still a further embodiment of the present invention, as shown inFIGS. 7A and B, the secondary wheel surface is formed as a cylinder A1closed at one end. The secondary wheel surface A1 is coupled to theprimary wheel A2 surface by ball quick release fasteners A3, B3 forminga unified structure. Upon depression of the fastener, the leaf springsof the fastener are no longer are engaged to the sides of the primarywheel A2 and the secondary wheel A1 is removed. In this embodiment, theprimary wheel A2, B2 is affixed to a truck axel (W) with the use ofwashers (X), bearings (Y) and a securing nut (Z). In this manner, theprimary wheel and secondary wheel are prevented of rotatingindependently of one another.

The primary and secondary wheels herein described are envisioned asformed of synthetic materials such as natural, composite and orsynthetic elastic or non-elastic compounds having a range of frictioncoefficients durometer qualities. However, those skilled in the artwould appreciate that the primary and secondary wheel structures here indefined can be formed of any material, natural or synthetic that iscapable of accomplishing the functions and designs herein described.

The present invention is also directed to the steps of selecting aproper secondary wheel given the expected surface conditions, removingany previously affixed wheel, affixing the desired secondary wheelsurface, and engaging the road surface. It is envisioned that the givensteps in the described method can be operated out of the orderpresented. Furthermore, additional step comprising of further actionswithin the described steps are contemplated. For instance, the step ofaffixing the secondary wheel covering includes a sub-step of wrappingthe secondary wheel surface around the primary wheel surface andengaging a locking mechanism.

It should be understood that various combination, alternatives andmodifications of the present invention could be devised by those skilledin the art. The present invention is intended to embrace all suchalternatives, modifications and variances that fall within the scope ofthe appended claims.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described withreference to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood bythose skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may bemade therein without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

1. A wheel modification apparatus for use in personal transport devices,said apparatus comprising: a primary wheel having a ground contactsurface and center body portion configured to accept an axel; and awheel covering, having an inner and an outer surface, the inner surfaceselectively engagable to the ground contact surface of the primary wheeland the outer surface configured to provide different performancecharacteristics than the ground contact surface of the primary wheel. 2.The wheel modification apparatus of claim 1 wherein; the wheel coveringis formed of an elastic material.
 3. The wheel modification apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein; the wheel covering is formed of an resilient material4. The wheel modification apparatus of claim 1 wherein; the wheelcovering is further configured to be selectively engaged to the groundcontact portion of the wheel so as to not obstruct access to the centerbody portion of the wheel and axel.
 5. The wheel modification apparatusof claim 3 wherein; the primary wheel and wheel covering are selectivelyengaged so as to allow access to the axel.
 6. The wheel modificationapparatus of claim 1 wherein; The primary wheel contact surface has acoefficient of friction value that is lower than a coefficient offriction value of the outer surface of the wheel covering.
 7. The wheelmodification apparatus of claim 1 wherein; The inner surface of thewheel covering is configured to arrest the movement of the primary wheelcontact surface independently of the wheel covering.
 8. The wheelmodification apparatus of claim 1 wherein; The primary wheel groundcontact surface has a durometer value that is greater than a durometervalue of the outer surface wheel covering surface.
 9. The wheelmodification apparatus of claim 1 wherein; the wheel covering is furtherconfigured to be formed of at least two hemispherical portions, each ofsaid portions are configured to connect to one another so as tocompletely envelop the ground contact surface of the primary wheel. 10.A method of changing the performance characteristics of a ground contactsurface of a personal transport device having a wheel selectivelycoupled to an axel, with a wheel surface covering comprising the stepsof: selecting a wheel covering having desired performance characteristicthat differs from the performance characteristic of the primary wheel ofthe personal transport device; securing the wheel surface coveringhaving different performance characteristics than the wheel to thesurface of the wheel.
 11. A method of changing the performancecharacteristics of a ground contact surface of the primary wheel ofclaim 10, further comprising the steps of: wrapping the wheel coveringformed of elastic material around a circumference of the of primarywheel.
 12. A method of changing the performance characteristics of aground contact surface of the wheel of claim 10, further comprising thesteps of: inserting the primary wheel into the wheel covering, whereinthe wheel covering is formed of a resilient material.